Deep Brain Stimulation of the Anterior Nucleus of the Thalamus in Intractable Epilepsy

Microendoscopic Transventricular Deep Brain Stimulation of the Anterior Nucleus of the Thalamus as a Safe and Efficient Treatment in Intractable Epilepsy

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT) has been proposed in patients with severe intractable epilepsy. When used, the transventricular approach increases the risk of bleeding due the anatomy around the entry point in the thalamus. To avoid such a complication, the investigators used a transventricular microendoscopic technique.

Inclusion criteria:

• adult patients
• treated between 2010 and 2019 for refractory epilepsy by DBS of the anterior nucleus os the thalamus using microendoscopy
• minimum follow-up of 1-year
• refractory epilepsy defined as failure of at least 3 antiepileptic drugs

Exclusion criteria:

- age < 18 years